In this useful lesson, students will learn how to write a check, keep accurate records, and balance their check book. They will also learn about loans, using the “Inflation Calculator” to learn about the increase in the cost of living between the Civil War and today.

Created by Julie Kilcullen, August 2006

The student is expected to use addition and subtraction to solve problems involving whole numbers and decimals.
TEKS §111.17. Math, Grade 5. (b) (3)(A)
Imbedded TEKS include: 5.1B. 5.5 A, 5.14 A&B, 5.15B

Teacher will distribute a checkbook and check registry to each student in class. While doing this, the teacher will discuss that these items have a particular function in our society. The teacher will invite students to guess what these items are, and what their function is in society. Students will record their guesses in their math journal. After students have had time for written response, the teacher will call on selected students to share their guesses with the class. The teacher will then reveal the true nature of the items; that the items they have are checks and a check register, and they are used to record the spending activities with regard to the money of a business or individual.

Students will be divided into small groups and shown how to use the TIDES website. Students will then be challenged to find documents that have to do with the cost of living back in the 19th century. Examples of cost of living will include things like grocery bills, doctor’s bills, cost of services, or a record of daily or monthly living expenses. Teacher will interact with each group of students to monitor progress and to assure that each student has selected an appropriate document. Students will then be instructed to go to their teacher, who will act as the town banker. The banker will hand each student an index card with their individual account balance listed on the card.

At this time, the teacher will do a mini-lesson focused on how to use their checks and registry, record their debits and credits, and manage their accounts. The teacher will also introduce the vocabulary words needed for this lesson at this time. Using the document from the TIDES site, the students will now be required, in their groups, to write checks to pay for their goods and services using only the money in their accounts. This lesson is designed so that some students will face the challenge of “insufficient funds.” These students will then have to either go to the town bank, or try to acquire a loan, or rely on the charity of other students with enough money. Once all the students are done devising their own method of meeting their financial obligations, they will return to large group to engage in classroom discussion. The teacher will moderate the discussion and invite students to share their experience and to interpret the significance of the experience and its relevance to living in the Civil War era and today.

Independent Practice/Assessment: Students are now ready to swap their documents with another student. They will repeat the activity independently. Once they have completed the activity, they must turn in their completed check registry to demonstrate the mastery of concept and skills.

Enrichment: Students will use the “Inflation Calculator,” linked on the TIDES site, to calculate the increase in the cost of living and inflation between the Civil War Era and the present day.

All students will write a reflection piece in their math journal that should include their feelings about the overall experience, the concept that was taught, the skill that was learned, and how this skill relates to life outside the classroom.

Vocabulary Words

Check
Check Register
Balance
Debit
Credit
Withdraw
Deposit
Cost of Living
Inflation
Overdrawn
Insufficient Funds
Loan
Collateral